"A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher." James Coleman, 1972

Friday, October 14, 2011

Ending 99% Control of Schools by the 1%

'Nough's enough. No Mas. If the owners of our corporate government have their way, public schools will become just another corporate revenue stream that sucks up the half-trillion dollars that Americans spend every year on education to benefit the Oligarchy.

The Obama/Duncan education policies are simply a steroidal version of the policies from the Bush years, and time has come to end the nightmare of inhumane school environments, imploded curriculums, school privatization attempts, mind-killing high-stakes testing, resegregation efforts, businessmen as school administrators, and teacher de-professionalizing. Join the 99%. OCCUPY.

We, administrators of United Opt Out National (www.unitedoptout.com), wish to collaborate with the OccupyWall Street Movement and offer our vision for CORPORATE-FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

We believe that QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION is a democratic
right for all persons. It is through vibrant and fully funded school
communities that all children have the opportunity to develop and grow
into happy, successful, free, and active citizens. High stakes testing
functions in opposition to QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION, as it is used to
punish children, to malign educators, and to provide financial gain for
testing corporations and their political sponsors.

THEREFORE, WE DEMAND AN END TO THE FOLLOWING:ALL high stakes testing and punitive policies that label schools, punish students, and close public community schools

ALL high stakes testing that ties teacher evaluations, pay, and job security to high stakes test results

Corporate interventions in public education and education policy

The use of public education funds to enact school “choice” measures influenced and supported by the corporate agenda

Economically and racially segregated school communities

“Model” legislation that provides special rules to charter schools that are forced upon public schools

Corporate run for-profit charter schools that divert public funds away from public schools

FURTHERMORE, WE DEMAND RESTORATION AND/OR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOLLOWING:

Libraries and librarians to all schools and communities

Teaching force educated through accredited college teacher education programs only

School buildings in ALL neighborhoods that meet health codes including clean drinking water, heat and air conditioning

Developmentally appropriate, problem-based, literacy-rich, play-based and student-centered learning, with the return ofnap, play, and snack time for kindergarteners

Smaller student-to-teacher ratio (25 or fewer to one)

Wrap around services for schools that offset the effects of
poverty and social inequality, including but not limited to: school
staff such as nurses and health providers, social workers, community
organizers, family counselors; free quality community daycare and
preschool programs, healthy food availability, safe and healthy housing
options, community social facilities, and after school programs to
enhance learning and provide safe recreational spaces for all students

Fully funded arts and athletics programs

Recess and adequate time allotted for lunch

New national funding formulas that ensures EQUITY in funding to ALL public schools regardless of zip code

Requirement that a significant percentage of textbook or testing company PROFITS go BACK TO public education

Requirement that all DOE positions are filled with qualified and experienced educators

Requirement that Superintendents and school administrators have exceptional, extended teaching and school-based experience